First Congregational Church in Amherst
First Congregational Church in Amherst
In 1739, the Puritan-dominated Massachusetts Bay Colony
authorized establishment of a First Church for the East
District of Hadley. In 1759 the district became known as
Amherst. The church's first two meetinghouses were built in
1743 and 1788 on the hill where the Amherst College Octagon
now stands, and served for both worship and civic meetings.
Toward the end of the Revolutionary Wars, some Patriot
parishoners left the Loyalists in the congregation to for the
Second Congreational Church in East Amherst. In 1821,
Amherst College was founded with support from First Church's
members. A third meetinghouse constructed in 1929 now
serves as College Hall at Amherst College. Emily Diconson's
brotherk Austing, chaired the building committee for the
present structure, built here in 1868, across the street from
his home, the Evergreens.
On the occasion of the 250th Anniversiary of Amherst, 2009
Submitted by @CitizenWald